Investigating the Authenticity of works of art believed to be by or attributed to

Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli RA

Francesco Zuccarelli - Franc. Zuccherellius, Francesco Zucchere

(1702-1788)

Italian Baroque or Rococo period painter

His biography has been very well recorded by others and it is not necessary to repeat it here. But in recent years an increasing number of works with his name have been sold at auctions across the world at high prices. So as the values of works of art created by him continue to escalate, there is also a greater need for caution and for confirmation of their legitimacy, to establish the correctness of their attribution or a given descriptor.

It is fair to say that major works of great quality as he created are well catalogued and are very unlikely to surface, but that does not follow for any lesser works of art that may suddenly appear from out of the mists of time.

But there surely must be many works that have been mistakenly attributed to him and some deliberately so, then others that originated from his workshop, by the hands of his students and apprentices, and even far more from his circle,just created by his followers which are actually Italian school works.

Common ploys adopted by those intent on deception today, are to find a vaguely similar, preferably anonymous paintings or drawings, executed in a similar style to that of the artist, but created by someone else. Add to it, a copied signature or monogram, perhaps apply a forged atelier or auction house stamp, or a new and persuasive inscription, or stick a gallery label on the back and the fraud is near complete. At least on the face of it. This is the most common form of forgery that we see.

Works that do emerge will require both a comprehensive and thorough investigation of their backgrounds and authenticity to confirm that any previously given attribution is correct and that a description of a work of art which is seemingly by Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli can truly be relied upon.

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As an international specialist fine art consultancy, based in the UK and Europe, we have been confidentially serving both private individuals and corporate clients around the world for over 45 years. Investigating both single works of art and complete collections and conducting in-depth legitimacy inquiries, full academic and forensic investigations and multilingual archival research into the origins of all old and modern master works of art from different geographical regions and periods. We also scrutinize and research provenance and lineage.

We can assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of authenticity and attribution, including the works of

Canaletto, his circle, studio, or followers, or any works of art that you are unsure about.

Some example works of art appear below as illustrations.

Note: No inference is made, nor is it intended as to the question of legitimacy. Moreover they are an across the board representational view of the differing types of works that are and may be offered and advertised for sale at auction internationally.

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Francesco Zuccarelli
A wooded Landscape with Washerwomen by a River, a pedlar on a path nearby, a town and hills beyondsigned and dated 'Fran:co Zuccarelli 13 Agosto 1742' oil on canvasSold GBP £210,500.00

Francesco Zuccarelli (Pitigliano 1702-1788
Florence) and Antonio Visentini (Venice 1688-1788)
An Italianate river landscape with women fishing and resting on the bank, with a capriccio view of the Redentore and the Rialto Bridge as designed by Andrea Palladio beyond oil on canvasSold GBP £193,250.00

Francesco Zuccarelli
A wooded river landscape with a boy fishing and two peasant women, a village beyond Signed 'Francois Zuccarelli' (on the reverse of the original canvas)oil on canvasSold USD $75,000.00

The duration and the direction of any authenticity investigation or into an attribution of a work of art will inevitably vary from project to project. But there are clear and very well defined professional formalities, responsibilities and areas of scrutiny that we can formally assist you with, including:

Authentication: Authentification: Conducting comprehensive investigations
and in depth research into a work of art with a view to establishing a correct, complete and
formally recognized certification. One absolutely upheld by the
appropriate, legally acknowledged and internationally sanctioned authority, body or
expert on that given artist. Directing
detailed and complicated inquiries, with multilingual capability, including any international academic research and
forensic applications that are required.

Attribution:Identifying and confirming
the identity of a previously anonymous artist, studio or workshop from which a
work of art most likely originated. Including the re-examination and investigation of a
previous attribution which may be incorrect, or the scrutiny of an attribution
that has been formally questioned or is currently doubted.

Confirmation: Undertaking research and investigations into the legitimacy of the provenance, history and prior ownership of a work of art and establishing its accuracy and legitimacy.

Scrutiny: Examen minutieux:Identifying fake or faux works of art
and forgeries, including any false supportive accompanying documentation and
determining works of art which may be studio or later copies, or previously given incorrect
attributions.

Prosecution: Poursuite: Investigating alleged art fraud and forgery and assisting and advising those who
are currently , or may be considering litigating or prosecuting the fact. This includes
colleagues who are legal professionals and individual private clients.

Attention:Conducting all fine art related due diligence and duty of care
inquiries. Including safe prepurchase or sale related audits and assisting
clients in consolidating a well balanced future family distribution.

We strongly advise clients before embarking on a full investigation of legitimacy or an artist attribution study, that it is wise to have an impartial preliminary assessment conducted first.

One made to consider and balance any issues that may be present that could make the longer term exercise unviable.

This is a professional advisory service we offer, based upon the images you supply, the full details of work of arts acquisition, its history and provenance as is known to you, along with sight of any documentation, previous research or analysis that you may have had formerly conducted.

You should then have a far better understanding of both the prospects or any pitfalls we may face, before making a decision.
This is a logical and cost effective professional review for which there is a modest set fee.

*It is important to very clearly understand the auction terms that are commonly used in any published descriptor and to be cautious of works that may just be created in the manner of the artist, or those which could be variants of the artists works of art that bear a signature or monogram. In this case as if they were defining the creations of the Italian artist Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli RA .

Where the name, Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli including his dates to be specific, then in their qualified and professional opinion, they are in no doubt. It is a genuine and authentic item and one painted by that artist. This is usually fully qualified by its inclusion in any catalogue raissone, or by the guarantee of the opinion given by the appropriate and internationally recognized expert authority on the artist.

When Attributed to Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli is used, or it is similarly defined as 'ascribed to' or 'Attrib. to ' [abbreviated,] or Attribué à, or ascribed to, then in their opinion it is 'probably' a work by the artist, at least in part. But... there is no guarantee. It is only an opinion that it 'possibly' may be by him..

But if the term Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli ” is specifically used, then in their opinion, it is a work only of the period of the artist, but showing their influence. Or by someone closely associated with the artist, BUT not necessarily by their pupil or student.

When the name is given thus; Painted in the “Style of Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli ” or “Follower of Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli
is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work of art executed only in the artist’s way, their 'style', but not necessarily by a pupil. Yet it may be a contemporary, or nearly a contemporary of the artist.

If the phrase in the “Manner of Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli is used or is defined….” then in their opinion it is also only a work painted in the style of the artist, but of a later date and definitely not by the artist as named.

When the term “After….Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli "; is the term used, then in their opinion it is a copy (made at any date) of an authentic and original work by the artist. This also applies to prints made 'after' an original work of art either by the artist or another artist/ printmaker.

Signed - Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli ” Then in their opinion the work has been signed/dated/or inscribed by that specific artist. The addition of a question mark ? however, indicates a strong element of doubt.

When the term 'bears signature',
is used or the name, Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli /date/or inscription” Then in 'their opinion,' either the signature / date / or inscription is spurious, forged or has been added by someone else other than the artist.